New Year, Same You; An Alternative to Diet Culture

Why this event?

Throughout the year we are bombarded with messages about diets, improving our bodies, with an underlying narrative that we are not good enough. These messages intensify dramatically in December and January, where we're constantly told to get our body "summer ready", make new year's resolutions about body change, or purchase gym memberships. The subtext is always the same: our bodies are fundamentally flawed and require fixing.

As a social worker and art therapist specialising in eating disorder support, I've witnessed firsthand the damage these messages cause. Research shows that diet culture significantly increases risks of developing body image issues, disordered eating, and clinical eating disorders. These aren't just abstract risks – they are risks that you or people you know are facing right now.

This webinar is designed to provide strategies, support, and hope in challenging these harmful narratives.

Who is this for?

• Counsellors, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, dietitians, mental health professionals who want to support their clients through this time.
• Individuals concerned about harmful narratives and want some strategies to challenge this for themselves and others.
• Anyone struggling with food, body image and self-worth and want some strategies to protect themselves.
• People would like to contribute to a more inclusive and non-judgemental society where all bodies are accepted.

What You'll Get from attending this event:

• Practical strategies to challenge diet culture
• Tools for building body neutrality and self-compassion
• Evidence-based insights into diet culture's psychological impact
• Resources to support yourself and others
• An opportunity to ask questions and get further support

About the Facilitator

Danni McDougall is a Social Workrer and Art Therapist with over 20 years of practice experience, including 10+ years specialising in eating disorders and complex trauma.

As both a clinician and someone with lived experience of an eating disorder, Danni understands the gap between clinical theory, lived experinece and gaps in the system. Her personal recovery journey informed the creation of the "Eating Disorders and Other Shadowy Companions" cards, which began as visual expressions of her own experience when words alone weren't enough.

Danni now combines her dual perspective to help mental health professionals work more effectively with eating disorder presentations.